Isolation and pathogenicity of endophytic fungi associated with some maize hybrids against certain Lepidoptera pests

Abstract

The means of biological control methods in which entomopathogens are being applied to crops has been adopted for several years. However, endophytic entomopathogenic fungi could provide plants with longer protective effect compared to usual bio-control agents’ applications since they are being internally associated with plants and could grant them more sustainable protection. This study was an attempt to isolate the endophytic fungi from Hytech 2031, Pioneer 3444 and SC 132 maize hybrids and investigating their pathogenicity against Sesamia cretica, Pectinophora gossypiella and Spodoptera littoralis in different larval instars. Five fungi were isolated from the maize hybrids, i.e. Aspergillus flavus MRDS 301, Curvularia lunata MRDS 302, Chaetomium madrasense MRDS 303, Alternaria alternate MRDS 304 and Aspergillus flavus MRDS 305. C. lunata MRDS 302 and C. madrasense MRDS 303 treatments showed insecticidal effect (100 %) against S. cretica 1st instar larvae. All treatments against S. cretica significantly reduced the weight of the resulting full grown instar larvae. C. madrasense caused the highest mortality to P. gossipiella 1st instar larvae compared to other treatments. In general, A. flavus MRDS 305 was more effective than A. flavus MRDS 301 against all the tested pests. Soil infestation was a highly effective method of inoculation to introduce the fungus C. madrasense inside maize plants since the fungus was isolated from both roots and leaves.